Merry Kissmas from the Doctor! Time Lord locks lips with new assistant Clara in highly-anticipated Christmas special

He's had his fair share of pretty assistants during his reign as the Time Lord.

But it seems Doctor Who has finally found a helper with whom he can have more than just a professional relationship, pictures from the upcoming Christmas special of the programme show.

Images show Matt Smith's Doctor locking lips with his newest assistant Clara, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman, in a passionate embrace.

Merry Kissmas from the Doctor! The Time Lord is seen puckering up to new assistant Clara in images from the highly-anticipated Christmas special

In another frame from the episode,
the Doctor is seen putting his finger to his lips to silence Clara, who
gazes lovingly at her new beau.

It was revealed earlier this week
that Jenna, 26, and Matt, 30, kiss in the festive special, with the
actress saying it required a few takes before the pair mastered the
tender shot.

She said: 'We did a couple of versions. One was like a swoop - maybe it
will be in some outtakes or something.'

The look of love: Jenna-Louise Coleman's Clara is seen gazing lovingly at Matt Smith's Doctor after their embrace

Matt admitted in an interview on This
Morning earlier this week that he is excited for viewers to watch the
Christmas special, adding: 'We have killer snowmen and
killer snow and we've got Richard E Grant - who was born to be a Who
villain! He's a wonderful guy.'

He then added: 'And most importantly we get to meet the new companion
Clara, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman, who has started thrillingly - she
has done brilliant work, very detailed, she's very hard working and
she's just a delight.'

The Christmas special's official synopsis reads: 'When
the fairytale becomes a nightmare and a chilling menace threatens Earth,
an unorthodox young governess, Clara, calls on the Doctor for help.

Doing the rounds: The actors were seen promoting the festive special on This Morning earlier this week

'But the Doctor is in mourning, reclusive and determined not to engage in the problems of the universe.

'As old friends return, will the
Doctor really abandon humankind or will he fight to save the world – and
Christmas – from the icy clutches of this mysterious menace?'

When asked if it was true that there
have been changes to the Tardis on This Morning, Matt replied, 'It is true - its been
slightly revamped...interior designed. Without giving too much away - we
went to space Ikea!'

But Matt may have taken a few souvenirs from the old prop, 'In my flat, I've got the hat stand... and I've got the plaque
which says it's the 'Type 40 Tardis' and it can only be flown by a
Timelord. You've got to take a little trinket!'

Chemistry: Matt and Jenna-Louise will finally lock lips for Doctor Who's Christmas special